Internet Desk: After a highly competitive Hero I-League 2017, it’s time to shift the focus on the premier knock-out football tournament in India – The Hero Federation Cup. The hot and humid conditions in Cuttack, will no doubt test the fitness and skills of the top eight teams of the I-League who have qualified to play in the tournament. Federation Cup organizing committee Head Anil Kamat told www.xtratime in , “The groups are finalized according to their positions in the I-League. If Mohun Bagan or Bengaluru FC qualify for the final, then final will be played on May 21. If Mohun Bagan or Bengaluru FC does not qualify for the final, then final will be played on May 18th as they might have an AFC Cup game on the 17th.”All matches to be played at Barbati Stadium, Cuttack at 4 and 7 p.m.
Here goes the schedule for the tournament:
Group A – Aizawl FC, East Bengal, Churchill Brothers, Chennai City FC
May 7
Aizawl FC vs Chennai City FC
Churchill Brothers vs East Bengal
May 9
Chennai City FC vs East Bengal
Aizawl FC vs Churchill Brothers
May 11
Chennai City FC vs Churchill Brothers
Aizawl FC vs East Bengal
Group B – Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru FC, Shillong Lajong FC, DSK Shivajians
May 8
Mohun Bagan vs DSK Shivajians
Bengalaru FC vs Shillong Lajong
May 10
DSK Shivajians vs Bengaluru FC
Mohun Bagan vs Shillong Lajong
May 12
DSK Shivajians vs Shillong Lajong
Mohun Bagan vs Bengaluru FC
SEMI FINALS
May 14
Group A winner vs Group B runners
Group B winner vs Group A runners
FINAL
If Mohun Bagan or Bengaluru FC qualify for the final, then final will be played on May 21
If Mohun Bagan or Bengaluru FC does not qualify for the final, then final will be played on May 18
Mohun Bagan will be facing Bengaluru FC in an AFC Cup group league game to be played at Rabindra Sarobar Stadium on May 17, 2017; that’s why 2 dates of final has been announced